Thrashers Acquire Defenseman Shane Hnidy

Thrashers Acquire Defenseman Shane Hnidy
from Nashville for 2006 4th Round Pick

ATLANTA (July 30, 2005) -- The Atlanta Thrashers have acquired
defenseman Shane Hnidy from the Nashville Predators for a fourth-round
selection in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, according to Executive Vice
President and General Manager Don Waddell.

Hnidy (pronounced NIGH-dee), who notched five points (one goal, four
assists) and 56 penalty minutes in 19 games with the Florida Everblades
(ECHL) last season, has registered 22 points (four goals, 18 assists)
and 353 penalty minutes in 198 NHL games with Ottawa and Nashville. The
6-2, 205-pound defenseman notched four assists and six penalty minutes
in 17 games to help Florida reach the Kelly Cup Finals before falling to
Trenton four games to one.

The native of Neepawa, Manitoba, split the 2003-04 season between Ottawa
and Nashville, earning seven assists and 82 penalty minutes in 46 games.
Hnidy, 29, set career highs with eight assists, 130 penalty minutes and
67 games with the Senators in 2002-03, and netted a career-best three
goals during his rookie season with the club in 2000-01.

Hnidy, who was selected by Buffalo in the seventh round, 173rd overall
in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, has earned 107 points (30 goals, 77
assists) and 704 penalty minutes in 299 minor-league games over six
seasons in the American Hockey League, the former International Hockey
League and the ECHL.

Prior to turning professional, Hnidy played five seasons in the WHL with
Swift Current and Prince Albert, notching 153 points (31 goals, 122
assists) and 498 penalty minutes in 327 games from 1991-96. He signed as
a free agent with Detroit on Aug. 6, 1998.